In 1960 Gibson's Les Paul Standard still had the carved flamed maple top, sunburst finish, and "Patent Applied For" pickups of its predecessors, but a slim-tapered neck was added for a decidedly different feel. These final adjustments failed to save the Standard, however, and after 1960 the single cutaway Les Paul was replaced by the thin-bodied double-cutaway SG.

This fabulous reissue captures the original line in its last days of glory. From bumble bee caps and CTS pots to the long neck tenon and gentle VOS aging, it looks, plays, and sounds so real only the geekiest of geeks would be able to tell it from an original.

Vintage Original Spec series instruments receive a special nitro-cellulose finish treatment yielding the patina of a gently-aged vintage guitar while handcrafting enhances comfort and playability. Each VOS model has a solid mahogany back; historically accurate long-neck tenon for strength and sustain; and period-correct neck profile, hardware, and electronics.

I just got the washed cherry version and this guitar is everything it's cracked up to be. The neck and action is outstanding, tone and sustain are great. I wish I bought it 40 years ago! It's worth the money!

Looks: The burst is amazing, something you want to look at every time you pick up the guitar. The VOS finish is shiny, but doesn't look like something that has spent hours under a buffing wheel.

Feel: Although I wish I was a fan of the fatter necks, after learning to play on a Tele 20 years ago, the 1960 neck is the only neck that feels comfortable playing to me. The weight of the guitar is somewhere in the middle...not a 12 lb brick, not a featherweight.

Tone: The neck pickup is on steroids. Any Page/Slash/Gibbons/Young sound is at your fingertips. It will not disappoint.

Other: Strap buttons must be replaced for use with a strap lock. The only con isn't really with the guitar, but modifications are necessary to use a quality strap lock due to the different screw sizes. I enlarged the hole in Schaller buttons to accept the #8 wood screws.

I have to agree that this is the finest instrument I have ever played. The slim neck really feels good to me. I can't explain, it just has a screaming tone!! seriously, and clean and concise accuracy. The tuners are old fashioned and a little harder to tune. It is a great rock and roll guitar. It has a fast, short, skinnier (but not too!) neck, lighter feel than the thick necked 50's profiles. Good investment quality woods. fretboard work and grain is amazing. Maple is true to the time. Gave a 4.5 because nothings perfect, but its a good buy and you dont have to worry about shiny hardware, looks worn in. Good for all styles of music.

This is the most amazing reissue guitar ever made....hands down. It is as close as you can get to owning a real 58-60 "Burst". The list of custom shop details is quite long. They have taken the production process back to 1959-60. From the aged patina finish and aged hardware to the silk screening on the headstock and switch washer, it is exactly like the originals. As for playability.....it is plecked at the factory and you can't get a better setup. It plays like a comfy broken in favorite axe. And the tone......well if you can imagine the Gary Moore tone and Jimmy Page tone using just the overdrive on the amp..!! The sustain is incredible (probably due to the long neck tenon and the bridge angle being so close to the body). Before I got mine, I was hard pressed to justify DOUBLE the price of a LP standard. Now that I have tried and own one, I would have gladly paid more. It is night and day. Try one out, and you will see for yourself. Keep jammin'..!

My uncle has this guitar and i just had to write a review about this one. I played this guitar countless if times and i tell you..This guitar cleans the floor with basicly any guitar i played,and im not a beginner. The only one that can match up with this one is Gibson SG Custom Maestro. In my opinion no fender can match up with the quality and feeling of this one. This guitar is one of those that once you started playing it wont let you stop playing. The tone...is to die for. And when you plug this into a Marshall combo...I cant describe how much Rock and Roll this guitar screams!! The neck is also simply incredble. This is truly a masterpiece. And yes..there is a difference between a "Normal" Les Paul and a Les Paul custom. Customs cleans the floor with the "Normal" ones,like Standard,Studio etc. You really really get what you pay fore. Belive me it is worth it..If your a very serieus Guitar player! Have the cash..get it now!!

The people at Gibson's Custom Shop have really outdone themselves this time. I had heard great things about the VOS series but until you experience it first hand, you can't really appreciate fully the level of commitment to quality & detail that goes into these instruments. Cosmetically, it is flawlessly accurate in every detail. Soundwise, it has that thick, juicy, classic sound of the vintage Gibson's of the era (I run mine through a Fender Prosonic amp). Don't bother comparing it to other guitars. I have a '57 RI Strat that I adore, but this is an entirely different beast altogether. Gibson and Les Paul himself should be very proud.